I got into piping years ago with a decent chanter but with a homemade bag and bellows. I feel now that air leakage and an undersized bag were a big factor in me putting the pipes aside in favor of my first instrument, the flute.
So, anyone have a spare bag and/or bellows that will get the job done that I might be able to pick up for a fair price. My goal is functionality, not top notch craftsmanship. Just something to get me piping again! I live in the Washington, D.C. area.
Thanks!
I am very happy with the bag and bellows I got from Kelleher Trad. Simple, but high quality. The bellows have a very solid feel.
Andy
Those look great. My goal was to save a few dollars by soliciting the used market.
You may have to consider purchasing new bag and bellows.
It’s just that a bag and bellows aren’t items that a piper would really upgrade once you had something that worked. If they don’t leak and are comfortable there’s never a need to replace them. Now and again you’ll see a bellows for sale from someone who bought a new set with a bellows and now they have 2. This almost never happens with bags. Pipers keep a bag until it doesn’t work anymore and they get a new one and dump the old one.
If budget is a concern there are a few makers who make vinyl bags. They’re a good bit cheaper than leather (over half price) and work perfectly fine. They just don’t last as long.
Some makers offer a low frills bellows at a decent price too. Kelleher has or had one that was great value. And keep in mind that you won’t have to pay VAT (irish sales tax) on Kelleher goods because they’re being shipped out of the EU. That’s about 20% or more.
Go through the list of makers on uilleannobsession.com and pipers.ie and you’ll find a good deal.
Tommy
Plus, if you do order from overseas, you won’t pay import duty on anything to do with bagpipes going to the USA. Just make sure that the seller uses the Harmonized Tariff Code: 9205.90.2000 on the Customs Declaration.
Mike
I found this bellow on ebay look like Bellows by Ray Sloan http://www.raysloan.com/
Ferg
Thanks for the advice and the ebay tip-off. A local piper I reached out to ended up selling me a Daye leather bag and is helping me rebuild my bellows “to code” so I think I will be all set before the week is out. Glad that there folks out there happy to respond to a post like this though.
Thanks again an happy piping.